Look. See note on Genesis 13:14 . now = steadfastly. stars. See on Genesis 13:16 = the heavenly calling in Israel (Hebrews 3:1 ; Hebrews 11:9-16 ). Figure of speech Paroemia. number them. Hence Joahs objection in 2 Samuel 24:3 . read more
"And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold to me thou hast given no seed; and, lo, one born in my house is my heir."The Hebrew text in the phrase regarding Eliezer is said to be imperfect, but the general meaning is clear enough. And, as to just who Eliezer was, whether he came from Damascus or not, all such questions are unimportant. read more
"And behold the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir."It was not specifically stated here that Sarai would be the mother of the promised heir, although both Abram and Sarai should have understood it thus. That they did not do so, led to their "helping God out" by the events that led to the birth of Ishmael. read more
"And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.""Number the stars ..." Previously, God had promised that Abram's seed would be as "the dust of the earth"; and the dramatic change here suggests the two Israels that call Abram their father, the fleshly Israel and the spiritual Israel of God's church. Also, Morris thought it indicated that the redeemed of both Israels would be... read more
Genesis 15:2. Eliezer of Damascus— i.e.. sprung originally from Damascus. The Hebrew word ben-meshec, which we translate steward, signifies the son of provision, he who provideth. It was a custom among the ancients to have such a superior servant: but upon what custom the right to inheritance for such a one, as born in the master's house, could be founded, we are totally in the dark; for I think it is most likely, there was some right of this kind, otherwise Abram had near relations to be his... read more
Genesis 15:3. And Abram said, &c.— Abram spreads his grief before the Lord; and since he is so gracious, shews him his trouble. Observe, God's ears are ever open to the voice of our complaint. Abram had a great promise, but no appearance of its fulfilment: he was childless, and, humanly speaking, likely to continue so, being old: and one of his servants must be his heir. Where then is the seed? What is all that thou givest me, if this be withheld? Learn, (1.) How hard it is, when mercies... read more
Genesis 15:5. He brought him forth abroad, &c.— This was done most probably towards the decline of the night, for reasons we shall presently assign: but the reader is desired to take notice, that there is nothing here which can countenance the opinion of this being a visionary representation. So shall thy seed be— i.e.. innumerable. This promise was fulfilled not only in the posterity of Isaac, but also of Ishmael, and the children of Abram's other wives, by whom Palestine and Arabia were... read more
2. Lord God, what wilt thou give?—To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward" [Genesis 15:1], had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he was still experiencing the sickness of hope deferred. read more
3. Eliezer of Damascus . . . one born in my house is mine heir—According to the usage of nomadic tribes, his chief confidential servant, would be heir to his possessions and honors. But this man could have become his son only by adoption; and how sadly would that have come short of the parental hopes he had been encouraged to entertain! His language betrayed a latent spirit of fretfulness or perhaps a temporary failure in the very virtue for which he is so renowned—and absolute submission to... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 15:3
Behold . . . lo. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). heir. Hebrew. inherits me. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). This was strictly in accordance with 191 of the Code of Kharnmurabi. See App-15 . read more